Full Breakdown
Ukraine Liberates 745 sq km in Oleksandrivka Offensive
8/13/2026, 12:22:55 AM
Background to the Counteroffensive
The offensive is part of a broader Ukrainian counter-offensive launched in late January 2024 in the southeastern front where the three regions converge. Ukrainian strategy emphasizes “active defence,” aiming to erode Russian offensive capacity and regain initiative after earlier Russian advances proved costly.
Data & Statistics
- Territory reclaimed: 745 sq km (288 sq mi).
- Villages retaken: 26 settlements.
- Russian casualties claimed by Kyiv: at least 9,550 killed and more than 6,600 wounded, plus an unspecified number of prisoners.
- Russian claim (June 2024): control of two additional settlements in Donetsk, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
Official Statements & Responses
President Zelenskyy posted on Telegram that the operation matched its objectives and cited reports from Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi, Chief of the General Staff Ihor Skybiuk, and Air Assault Forces commander Oleh Apostol. The Russian Defense Ministry, in a separate statement, asserted recent gains of two settlements and reported extensive air-defence activity, including the downing of 285 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This offensive operation of ours was carried out precisely—exactly as it was planned,” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, president
- “During the operation, we managed to liberate a territory of 745 square kilometers. Twenty-six villages in the Dnipro, Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions were returned to the control of Ukraine,” — Volodymyr Zelensky, president
- “It could be safer to say that the Russians don't exactly control that area now either, even though it was already at least partially in their rear just over two months ago,” — Emil Kastehelmi, a military analyst with the Finland-based Black Bird Group
